Conservation Landscaping

 

The area within 5 feet of your house is important to both water quality and defensible space concerns. When constructing erosion-control BMPs in this area, such as the installation of an infiltration trench shown here, contact your local fire professional and Conservation District for advice on defensible space and BMPs

The “Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe and Vicinity” provides information about erosion control, defensible space and general landscape management. To request a copy, contact University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 832-4150.

When creating defensible space, be aware of Lake Tahoe water quality concerns. If misapplied, defensible space practices could encourage accelerated erosion, a major contributor to the lake’s declining clarity. Consider using the following conservation landscaping concepts when creating defensible space:

• Do not remove all vegetation from the Defensible Space Zone.
  
  
• Low-fire-hazard vegetation is the preferred alternative to incorporate the objectives of both Best Management Practices (BMPs) and defensible space.
  
  
• Do not dig out plant roots. Leave them in place.
  
  
• When breaking up dense brush fields on steep slopes, leave islands of lean and green shrubs staggered horizontally across the slope.
  
  
• Implement BMPs on your property. BMPs are measures that help slow water runoff and control soil erosion. For a free BMP inspection of your property, contact the Conservation District in California, (530) 543-1501, ext. 113, or in Nevada, (775) 586-1610, ext. 28.

For educational materials and programs about defensible space, erosion control and general landscape management, call University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at (775) 832-4150 or the University of California Cooperative Extension, (530) 542-2571.